Register



July 13, 1937. B. cooPER REGISTER Filed Aug. 2l, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet liii' @Y WelAjWo/P/VEY- July 13, 1937.

B. COOPER REGISTER Filed Aug. 21, 1934 FISQ.

6 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 13, 1937. B COQPER 2,086,605

REGISTER Filed Aug. 21, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 B.COOPER yJuly 13, 1937.

REGISTER Filed Aug. 2l, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 13, 1937. B, CQOPER2,086,605

REGISTER Filed Augn 21,. 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Piceno. F1641.

FGJQ. rims.

E?. COOPER July 13, 1937.

Elle Aug, 2l, 1934 6 Sheets-SheetI 6 (Him. 20

a 7 y N w Y 5 m W d 2 l ,w 7 3 5 ml, 1 4 6 w A M n 2 3 a G 2 Ull 2 4/ I4 2 1||. a E. w 21a 9 1l 6V 2 d l z/y 24 Patented July 13, 1937 UNTED.STATES astros PATENT GFFICE Application August 21,

Claims.

This invention relates to registers. It is particularly directed to adevice for operating counters.

An object of this invention is to provide a de- 5 vice of the characterdescribed, comprising a plurality of keys or buttons, each adapted toactuate a counter, and having means to prevent simultaneous actuation oftwo or more of the keys or buttons.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the characterdescribed having a. plurality of depressible keys, each adapted to closea switch, upon being depressed, and means for retaining the switchesclosed and returning the keys to normal position upon releasing pressuretherefrom, the construction being such furthermore, that when a secondkey is depressed, switch actuated by the first key opens, second switchis actuated by the second key ai is retained in closedposition when saidsecon-t. key returns to normal position upon releasing pressuretherefrom.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the characterdescribed, conn sing a plurality of depressible keys, each adapted toactuate a switch, and an additional key which may be depressed forclosing a switch, and latter switch being adapted to remain clos when asecond key is depressed for closii g switch associated therewith, theconstructi ing such, furthermore, that when a third y depressed theswitches associated with the iirst two keys are opened and only thestitch asse--y ciated Awith the third key closes, or the second key isagain depressed the switch associated with. the first key opens and theswitch associated with the second key remains closed.

Still another object of this invention is to pre-s vide in a device ofthe character descri a casing and an insulating board or panel, linedwithin said casing, all of the switches actuated by the depressiblebuttons, and wiring ltherefor being mounted on said panel and said panelbeing removable as a whole from the casing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device o the characterdescribed comprising a plurality of keys, each adapted to close anindividual switch associated therewith, and a mas-- ter switch adaptedto be actuated each time any of the keys are depressed.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a strong, compact,rugged device of the character described, comprising comparatively fewand simple parts, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture,smooth and positive 1934, Serial No. 740,743

in operation, easy to assemble and disassemble, and which shallnevertheless be practical and eicient to a high degree in use.

@ther objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out. 5

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope of this application will be indicated in the :following claims. lnthe accompanying drawings, in vf. ich shown one of the various possibleillustrative embodiments of this invention,

l is a side elevational view ci a device ein l'i fen-tion with partscrosasectional view a oss-sectional. vievf switch ope-ra' i ffiiillustrating anothe..4 position thereof;

' 5 is enlarged, cross-sect .iai View the position o; the depressedticket key i a classiication key is thereafter depresse Fig l5 is acrosssectional view taken on line f Fig. il; 1g. i6 is a cross-sectionalview taken on line i"` i iof Fig. l5; lig. 17 is a view similar to "i6brit disclosing the spring pressed pawl in depressed pos Fig. i8 is apartial, detailed View oi the sin plate and suspension therefor; Fig. 19is a partial, side elevational, cross-sec- @e tional view of one end ofthe device embodying the invention;

Fig., 20 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2li-20 of Fig. 19; and

Fig. 21 is a wiring diagram of the electrical system forming part of myinvention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, I0 designates a deviceembodying the invention, here shown for the purpose of illustration onlyin the form of a remote controlkeyboard, adapted to actuateelectro-magnetic counters.

The device comprises a casing II having a bottom wall I2, front and rearend walls I3 and I4 and side walls I5 and I6. The rear end wall I4 ispreferably higher than the front wall I3. The top of the casing iscovered by a cover plate I1 which is thus inclined upwardly from' thefront to the rear. Said cover plate I1 is formed with a plurality ofrows of spaced, upwardly extending tubular portions I8 and downwardly orinwardly extending coaxial tubular portions I9, forming tubular passages2U. The tubular portions I 9 are interconnected by integral web portions2|.

'Fixed to the cover in any suitable manner adjacent the front and rearends thereof, are a plurality of spaced frame members 22, each formedwith a pair of bearing openings 23. The bearing openings 23 of one framemember are aligned with the bearing openings of the other member.

The frame members 22 are formed with downwardly projecting extensions 24and screwed to the bottom ends of said extensions by screws or in anyother suitable manner, is an insulating board or panel 25. Attached tothe underside of said panel 25 are two rows of similar switches 26, onerow being disposed symmetrically to the other row and each switch beinglocated substantially in alignment with one of the tubular openings 20.The switches 26 each comprise a plate 21 pivoted as at 28 to theunderside of the board and having a fixed downwardly projecting pin 29.A coil compression spring 21a interposed between the plate 21 and theunderside ofthe panel 25 normally tends to rotate said plate in acounterclockwise direction, looking at Fig. 6 of the drawings.

Received on said pin 29 is a second plate 30, having an opening looselyreceiving said pin, and pressed against said first plate by means of acoil compression spring 3| interposed between a head 32 on said pin, andplate. Attached to said plate and insulated therefrom are a pair ofprojections 33 and 34 provided with pairs of contacts 33a and 34arespectively. Fixed to the underside of said panel are pairs of spacedcontacts adapted to be slidably contacted by the pairs of contacts 33a,34a.

Rotatably mounted within the bearing openings 23 are elongated shafts35. Fixed to said shafts at one end of the casing, are inwardlyextending arms 36, the inner ends whereof overlap and are provided withhooked portions 31. There is further attached to said shafts 35 adjacentthe ends thereof, outwardly extending arms 38, to the outer ends ofwhich there are xed elongated bars 39.

Hinged to the underside of said cover I1 adjacent the front and rearends thereof, are links and 4I, each formed with bearing openings at thebottom end thereof. Received through the bearing openings in the link 40is a shaft 42 and received within the bearing openings of the link 4I isa shaft 43. Fixed to said shafts 42, 43 is a shifter plate 44 havingupstanding vertical flanges 45 receiving said shafts therethrough. Theshifter plate is disposed below and parallel to the cover and islikewise parallel to the panel 25. The same is provided with a pluralityof parallel, horizontal, transverse shafts 46 parallel to the shafts 42and 43 and extending beyond the flanges 45 on opposite sides as at 41,for the purpose hereinafter appearing. A coil tension spring 48 attachedat one end thereof to the front wall I3 of the casing and at the otherend thereof to the front end of the shifter plate 44 serves to normallymove the shifter plate to the left looking at Fig. 1 of the drawings.Cooperating with said shifter plate 44, bars 39 and switches 26, arekeys, plungers, or push buttons 59. Each plunger comprises a rod or stem5I slidably mounted in one of the tubular openings 2D. Screwed to theupper end of each stem is a cap 52, socketed to slidably receive theupper end of a tubular portion I8. A coil compression spring 53 receivedon said stem and interposed between the tubular portion I8 and the cap52 serves to normally retain the stem in lifted position.

For the purpose hereinafter appearing, each stem 5| (as shown in Fig. 7)with two opposite parallel flat surfaces 55 forming grooves, and fromeach flat surface there extends an upwardly and outwardly beveled orinclined surface 56. Below said flat surface the stem 5I is providedwith a flange or collar 51, and fixed to the lower l end of each stem isan annular cup 58. Slidably mounted on each stem between the flange 51and the cup 58, is a member 59 having a tubular portion receiving saidstem and a head 60 formed with an inclined surface 6I normallycontacting one of the extending shaft portions 41. A coil compressionspring 62 surrounding the lower portion of each stem and the tubularportion of the member 59 is interposed between the cup 58 and theunderside of the head of the member 59, and thus normally presses saidmember against the flange 51 on the stem.

Fixed to the head 60 of said member 59 is a rod 63 parallel to the stem5I and extending below the cup 58 andv normally below the panel 25.Attached to the lower end of each pin 63 is a head 64 engaging an edgeof the plate portion 21 of a switch 26. Thus in normal position, thespring 53 retains the stem 5I in raised position and the spring 62retains the member 59 in raised position, whereby the head 64 at thelower end of the pin 63 engages the plate 21 of the switch and retainsthe same in tilted position against the pressure of the spring 21a foropening the switches 33a, 34a, as illustrated in Fig. 20 of thedrawings. Should one of the buttons or keys be depressed by pressing onthe cap 52, the pin 5I will be moved downwardly for depressing a bar 39and releasing a switch 26 to permit the same to close under the pressureof the spring 21a. During this movement, the head 60 of the member 59will cause the shifter plate to be moved to the right and tension thespring 48, by reason of the engagement of the beveled surface 6I with ashaft portion 41. When the shaft portion 41 clears the upper surface ofsaid head 60, the spring 48 will again move the shifter plate to theleft, said shaft portion 41 thus engaging the top surface of said headso that release of pressure from the cap 52 will retain the member 59 indepressed condition and the switch 26 associated therewith closed.

It will be further noted that when the switch 26 is released and movesto closing position, the contacts 33a and 34a will have a wiping orsliding contact with the complementary fixed contacts on the panel 25,such wiping action being permitted due to the floating connectionbetween the plate 30 and the plate 21. Such wiping action insures a goodelectrical contact even after long periods of use.

Upon releasing pressure from the cap 52, the spring 53 will raise thestem 5| and the cap 52 to normal position, the pin 63 nevertheless,remaining in its downward position. 'I'his position is illustrated inFig. 1 of the drawings, wherein one member 59 and its pin or rod 63 aredisclosed in depressed condition and held in such position by engagementof a shaft portion 41 with the head 60 of said member. K

It will be further noted that one of the bars 39 is depressed each timeone of the plungers is depressed. If a key or plunger in the right rowis depressed, then the bar 39 on the right is depressed. If a key on theleft row is depressed, then the left bar 39 is depressed.

Means is provided for actuating a master switch each time any one of theplungers is depressed and a bar 39 is swung about one of the shafts 23.To this end there is received between the hook portions at the innerends of the arms 36 and engaging said hooked ends, the upper end of alink 65, said link being in the form of a plate having at the upper endthereof oppositely extending pins 66 engaging within said hookedportions. Fixed to the underside of said panel 25 is a bracket 66 towhich there is attached an arm 6l. Pivoted to said bracket 66 as at 68is a lever 69. The lower end of the link 65 is pivoted to said lever onone side of its fulcrum. The lever is provided with an extension 'lllextending beyond the pivotal point between the link and said lever, andinterconnecting the outer end oi said extension 'l with the bracket arm6l is a coil tension spring 7l. The spring thus tends to rotate thelever 69 in a counterclockwise direc-.- tion, looking at Fig. 2 of thedrawings, for pulling the link 65 downwardly and normally maintainingthe bars 39 in lifted position against the undersurfaces of the cups 58.

Fixed to the underside of the panel board is a second bracket 'i2 towhich there is pivoted a bell crank 'i3 having arms lil and l5. A coiltension spring 'i6 interconnects one arm ld with an end portion Tl ofthe lever 69. rihus, in the position shown in Fig. 2, the spring "i6tends to rotate the bell crank 'i3 in a clockwise direction. However,should a bar 39 be depressed, the link S will be lifted for rotating thelever @Si in a clockwise direction. When the end thereof passes thepivotal point 73a of the bell crank i3, the spring will cause rotationoi said bell crank in a counterclockwise direction, to the positionshown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The bracket is provided with a stop'lli engaging the outer end of the bell crank arm M in its normalposition shown in Fig. 2, and the arm 6i is provided with an extension'i9 adapted to engage said arm lf.- in. the position shown in Fig. 5 oithe drawings, when a bar 3s is depressed. When the plunger which hasbeen depressed is released, the spring 'li will cause counterclockwiseturning movement of the lever 69. When the end il thereof passes thepivotal point lita, the spring it will cause quick clockwise turningmovement of said bell crank for snapping the same back to normalposition.

To produce a quick snapping action ci 'the bell crank in bothdirections, there is xed to the lever 69 a pair of spaced, parallel thinbars and 8l. The bar 80 is adapted to engage an angular extension 14a ofthe bell crank arm 74 to hold said bell crank against turning movementas the lever begins to rotate in aclockwise direction. The spring 'I6after passing the dead center will press the end of the bell crank arm14 against said bar 80. However, the bar is so designed or cammed as tohold the bell crank arm until the spring 'I6 has been stretched to amaximum amount. At this point the bar 80 being swung with the lever 69,passes the end of said arm 14 and permits the spring which is now undergreatest tension to snap the bell crank in a counterclockwise directionagainst the stop 19. Likewise, during the return movement, the end 14aof the bell crank arm 'I4 contacts the lower bar 8l and is retained frommovement in a clockwise direction until the spring has been tensionedsuiliciently and the bar 8i is cleared, permitting a quick return snapaction. The bell crank is adapted to actuate a master switch 92 in themanner hereinafter described.

The master switch 82 comprises a plate 93 pivoted to a bracket 81% xedto the panel 25. There is further xed to said bracket 84 an insulatingplate 85 to which there isxed a pair of spaced iixed contacts 86 and 8T.Interconnecting the plate 83 and the arm lli of the bell crank 'i3 is alink 88. Thus, in the position shown in Fig. 2 oi the drawings, theplate 33 is swung away from the bracket dit. However, upon depressingone of the plungers or keys rotation of 'the bell crank will causeclosing movement of the plate 83. Hinged to said plate 33 are a pair ofmembers Bil and 9@ provided with contacts 89a and 90a adapted to contactthe fixed contacts @E and 81 respectively.

liixed to the members 8S and 9@ are pins E92 and 93 respectively,extending through suitable openings in the plate 83. Springs 94 and S5received on said pins and interposed between said plate 33 and saidmembers 39 and il@ normally serve to swing said members G9 and gli awayfrom the plate t3. However, when the plate B3 swings toward the fixedbracket pressure on said plates when the terminals @da and Stia contactthe hired terminals il@ and t?! will cause members t9 and 99 to bepressed against the pressure of springs Sid and 95 toward said platelThis action produces a wiping or sliding contact between the contactsSila and 96a and the xed contacts El@ and @l respectively, thusmmntaining a good and clean electrical contact.

it will be noted that the master switch is actuated when either of thebars 39 are depressed, since both the arms 36 are hooked to the upperend of the link The device disclosed herein is adapted for use inconnection with and may form part of any registering mechanism forexample, an apparatus for Counting vehicles, at a toll bridge orhighway. The plungers or keys are adapted to actuate electromagneticcounters connected by wiring to switches and $32, and each plunger mayrepresent a diilerent classi?.- cation. lThus, for example, one plungerbe depressed each time a passenger automobile passes the 'toll point.Another plunger may be depressed each time a bus passes said point andso on. Thus, the toll bridges or highways where a different fee must bepaid for each different vehicle an accurate elassied count of thevehicles may be kept with my improved apparatus.

Referring to the wiring diagram in Fig. 2l, it will be noted that eachtime a plunger is depressed, the master switch 82 in feed line 9Go isvco closed as is also a switch 26 for closing contacts 33a and 34a ofsaid switch. The contacts 33a may be connected by suitable wiring 96a toan electro-magnetic counter 96 and by wiring 96h to the feed line 96C.The counters 96 are connected by wiring 96d to the other feed line 96e.Thus, when the switch 82 closes, and one pair of contacts 33a alsocloses, the current passes through the electro-magnetic counter 96connected to said contacts 33a. The electro-magnetic counters may belocated remotely from the device |0. The contacts 34a are connectedthrough suitable wiring 91a to a lighting or other electric signaldevice indicated at 91 in Fig. 21. Devices 91 are connected by wiring91D to feed line 96e, and contacts 34a are connected to feed line 95e bywires 91e. The devices 91 may be located above or adjacent to the pointwhere the vehicles are being counted, and each device 91 may be in theform of a plurality of lamps arranged to appear as a number, each numberrepresenting a vehicle of a diiTerent classification. Thus for example,the lights 01 illuminated when one plunger is depressed may be in theform of a row of lights forming a number 1, and 1 may indicate, forexample, to an inspector located at some distance, that a vehicle of aparticular classification is passing the toll point. A check on theoperator of the keyboard I0, may thus be made by an inspector at somedistance from the toll point.

Any suitable lighting device or signal 91 may be employed, there being adifferent signal or different number for each plunger and eachindicating a different classification. An addition al master counter 98may be arranged in the main feed line 96e and is actuated each time themaster switch is closed to obtain a total count.

It will now be understood that when a key is depressed the master switch82 is made and broken. The switch 33a controlling the counter 96,however, is made or closed and remains closed even after the key isreleased. If the same key is again depressed the master switch is againmade and broken to energize the counter 96. The switch 33a remainingclosed provides a path for the circuit for the counter relay 96 which iscompleted every time the master switch is made. Thus, if the same key isdepressed consecutively a plurality of times, the counter associatedwith said key will be actuated each time the key is depressed.

The master switch actuated by toggle mechanism is in series with each ofthe individual switches. Each time one of the keys 52 is depressed, thetoggle mechanism is actuated for closing the master switch. The togglemechanism insures a positive and quick opening and closing or making orbreaking of the master switch. Since the master switch is interposed inthe main line of the circuit and in series with the individual switches33a, the same acts as a check on the individual switches. Thus, forexample, should one of the keys be depressed and held in a positionwhere its switch is just at the point of making or breaking, said switchmight possibly quiver or vibrate and produce a number of pulsations toactuate its counter more than once. By the interpositioning of a switchin the circuit of cach individual switch controlled by a togglemechanism, a single actuation of each individual counter is insured,each time a key is depressed. The toggle mechanism either fully makes ordoes not make at all. There can be no quivering motion. Thus, the singletoggle4 control switch insures a positive opening and closing of eachindividual switch.

One of the plungers illustrated in Figs. 10 to 13 and designated bynumeral may be called a special or ticket key or plunger and theoperation thereof, will be described hereinafter in greater detail.

Means is provided for preventing simultaneous actuation of any two keysor plungers, other than the ticket plunger |00. To this end there isdisposed between each pair of adjacent tubular members I9 of the coverand pivoted to the web portion 2| between said tubular members, a member|03. Each member |03 comprises a pair of spaced plates |04 and |05riveted to an intermediate plate |00, said plates |04 and |05 receivinga transverse pin |01 extending through an opening in the web to form thepivotal connection. The central portion |06 of each member |03 isprovided with outward extensions |06a normally engaging within thegrooves formed by the flattened surfaces 55 on the stems 5|. Thus whenall the plungers are up, the outer ends of the members |06 project intothe grooves formed by said flattened surfaces, there being sufficientclearance, however, to permit one of the plungers to be depressed. Whenthe plunger is depressed however, as shown in Fig. 7, the pair ofmembers |03 located on opposite sides of the depressed stem, engagingthe beveled surfaces 56, swing away from each other into contact withthe iiat surfaces 55 of the pair of stems located on opposite sides ofthe depressed stem, and take up all` of the clearance between said pairof members |03 and said pair of stems 5|. ber |03 located between theticket key and the key next adjacent thereto.

It will be noted that the total clearance, normally, between the outerends of a member |00 and the iiat surfaces 55 of the stems located onopposite sides of said member, is equal to the depth of the recess orgroove formed by said iiat surface. Thus to depress any stem, theclearance of the members |03 located on opposite sides of said stem isnecessary to permit depression of said stem. Riveted to each plate |04of members |03 is a fiat horizontal strip |01. The strips |01 on eachrow of members |03 are aligned with one another and disposed insubstantially end to end relation. There is some looseness however,between the members |01 to permit slight pivotal movement of the members|03 when a plunger is depressed. The total clearance between the members|01 in both rows of members |03 is equal to twice the depth of a grooveformed by a at surface 55 on one of the stems 5|. Projecting downwardlyfrom the cover |1 is a fixed pin |08l located on the longitudinal axisof said cover. Pivoted to the lower end of said pin |00 is a lever |09having arms of equal length. Interconnecting the outer ends of saidlever with the members |01 located at adjacent ends of the two rows ofsaid members |01 are links ||0. When one plunger is depressed, the totalamount of movement of the members |03 located on opposite sides of saiddepressed stem is equal to twice the depth of one of the grooves, formedby the flat surface 55.

During such movement, the plates or. strips |01 of said pair of members|03 will separate a distance equal to twice the depth of said groove andsince this clearance is all of the clearance that can be taken upbetween all of the strips or plates |01, the strips located on one sideof the depressed stem contact one another and the There is no memiks- 'in a counter-clockwise direction.

strips located on the opposite side of said depressed stem also contactone another. When a plunger is depressed in one row, the plates |01 ofthe other row move into end to end contact by reason of the connectionthrough the lever |09. Thus, when one plunger is depressed, each stripor plate |01 is fixed against movement and brings the ends |06a ofplates |06 into the grooves in the stems of the other plungers; and asecond plunger therefore, cannot be depressed while the first plunger isin depressed condition. Simultaneous depression of two plungers istherefore prevented.

The ticket key |00 may be depressed when the operator receives a ticketinstead of a cash fare. The ticket may represent, furthermore, a varietyof types of vehicles, and therefore it would be necessary when receivingthe ticket, to depress both the ticket key |00 and one of theclassification keys 50. For this reason, after the ticket key isdepressed to actuate a counter 96 which counts the number of ticketsreceived and which also closes a light or other signal circuit to show asignal 91 indicating that a ticket has been received, it is furthernecessary to depress a classication key to actuate the counter whichcounts the number of vehicles of that classification and also to closethe light circuit to indicate by a signal the kind of a vehicle beingregistered.

Means is therefore provided to permit depression of a classification keyafter the ticket key has been depressed, without opening the switchclosed by the ticket key; and for opening the switches closed by boththe ticket key and said classification key when a second classificationkey is thereafter depressed. To this end, the classification key |00 maycomprise a stem ||5 having the usual spring pressed cap at the upper endthereof and usual cup 58 at the bottom end thereof.

Fixed to said stem is a member il@ similar to the member 59 and providedWith a beveled undersurface l l1 and with the usual pin portion H8having a head H9 at the bottom end thereof for actuating a switch 26similar to the other switches 26 and similarly connected by wiring to anelectro-magnet and a light or other electrical signal device.

The flange i5 of the shifter plate fifi adjacent the ticket key isformed with a notch lill having length equal to the length of moven mentof the shifter plate when a classification key depressed. Suspended froma link hinged to the cover of the casing and somewhat similar to thelink di, is a horizontal shaft extending through said notch |2il andsomewhat beyond the member H6, as at U25. portion i2@ may be somewhatenlarged, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Pivoted to the outer surface of said ange l5 and lying substantiallyflat against said ange is a bell crank lever ift having an arm adaptedto contact a pin #12d xed to said flange 45 for retaining the bell crankagainst movement (See Fig. lo.)

A. coil tension spring izda attached at one end to a pin i525@ rzed tothe shifter plate at the other end thereof to another arm of the bellcrank, serves to move the bell crank in a counter-clockwise directionfor maintaining the arm |23 against the stop |213. The bell crank isfurther provided with an arm i251 nor adapted to contact the shaftportion i? shown in Fig. l0 of the drawings for maintaining said shaftat the right end of the slot l and thus in effect clamping the shaft |2|to the shifter plate. In this normal position, depression of anyclassification key will move the shifter plate together with the shaft|2I.

For the purpose hereinafter appearing, the member ||6 is formed on theface thereof adjacent the ange 45, with a vertical slot |26 and receivedwithin said slot and pivoted to said member ||6, adjacent the bottom endthereof, is a lever |21 having a hook portion |28 at the upper endthereof. A small strip spring I 3| received within said groove |26 andbehind the lever, serves to press the same normally toward the flange|45. The lever |21, however, is pressed into the groove |26 by means ofa membei' |32 pivoted to the underside of the shifter 44, as at |33 andhaving an arm |34 engaging the lever |21, said pivoted member |32 beingpressed upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 11 by means of a spring|35 xed to the underside of the shifter, in any suitable manner.

Pivoted to a side of the member H6, as at |36, and disposed in a planeperpendicular to the plane of the flange 45, is another bell crank lever|31 having an arm |38 extending away from the flange 45, and an upwardlyextending arm. |39 having a hook |40 at the upper end thereof. A springMi connected at the lower end thereof to the arm |38 and at the upperend thereof to a pin ilil fixed to the upper end of the member H6,serves to rotate the bell crank in a clockwise direction, looking atFig. ll of the drawings. The hook i4@ is adapted to engage the portion|34 of the pivoted member Beginning with the parts in the position shownin Figs. l0 and il, depression of the ticket key will move the parts tothe position shown in Figs. l2 and i3 for actuating a bar 39 in theusual manner to operate the master switch 82, and for closing a switchmi to close the circuit for an electro-magnet and a signal device.

Upon depressing the ticket key it@ the hook iflil engages the portioni3d of the pivoted meinber l and rotates the same downwardly to theposition shown in Fig. i3. rl'he hook |23 of the lever 022? also engagesthe arm l25 of the bell crank i252 and rotates the same in a clockwisedirection, looking at Fig. l2 of the drawings, to bring the outer end ofsaid arm i125 beneath the shaft portion igt. During the movement,furthermore, the beveled surface ill engaging the shaft will cause theshifter plate to be moved to the right until said member lit moves loe--neath the shaft to permit the spring i8 to move the shifter to the leftand bring the shaft portion tt above the member lili. rI'he member il@is thus held in depressed position to retain the switch closed. When themember H32 is swung downwardly by the hook Mil of the bell cra-nil.;i3?, the lever l 23 will be pressed outwardly bring the hook i228 intoengagement with the arm of the bell crank i212 to swing the samedownwardly against the tension of the spring if it will now be notedthat should a classification key be depressed thereafter, the shifterplate may move to the right without moving the shaft lli to the right,said shaft l thus remaining in the position shown in Fig. le andmaintaining the member il downwardly for retaining the switch 2li inclosed condition. A shifting movement of the shifter plate, however,will also move the member U32 to the right since said member i322 ismounted on the undersurfaoe of the shifter plate Such a movement of themember to the right will bring a cammed portion Mii of the arm |34 intoengagement with a cammed surface |45 on the lever |21 and press saidlever into its groove |28 to release the hook |28 from the bell crankarm |25 and permit the spring |24 to move the bell crank |22 to theposition shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings and lock the shaft |2| to theshifter plate. Should another classication key be thereafter depressed,the shaft 2| will shift to the right, together with the shifter plate44, being locked thereto, and release the member ||6. The ticket key isthen moved back to normal position by the spring in the cap portionthereof.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which theseveral objects of this invention are achieved, and which is welladapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention,and as various changes might be made in the embodiments set forth; it isto be understood that all matter herein set forth, or shown in theaccompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. A keyboard having depressible keys, a switch within said keyboardadapted to be actuated upon depressing one of said keys, means formoving said key back to normal position upon releasing said key afterthe same has been depressed, and for maintaining said switch in actuatedcondition, upon said key moving back to normal position, and means forreleasing said rst switch upon depressing another key of said keyboard.

2. In a keyboard, a plurality of keys, a switch for each key, means foractuating each switch upon moving its key, means for releasing anactuated switch upon depressing a key not associated therewith, aspecial key, means for retaining the actuated switch associated withsaid special key in actuated condition upon depressing any of the otherkeys to permit two switches to simultaneously remain in actuatedposition, and means for releasing said last named two actuated switchesupon thereafter depressing another of said other keys.

3. A keyboard comprising a plurality of depressible keys, a switch foreach key, said switches being adapted to be actuated by their respectivekeys, and an additional key which may be depressed for actuating aswitch associated therewith, said latter switch being adapted to remainin actuated position when one of said plurality of keys is thereafterdepressed for actuating the switch associated therewith, and means forreleasing the switches associated with said additional key and saiddepressed key from actuated position when another of said plurality ofkeys is depressed.

4. In a keyboard, a casing, a depressible stem mounted thereon,resilient means for normally retaining the stern in lifted position, aswitch within Said casing, a member slidably mounted on said stem,spring means for causing upward sliding movement of said member on saidstem, means on said member for engaging said switch, said member beingformed with a beveled undersurface, a plate within said casing movablein a direction perpendicular to said stem, and having a portion engagingsaid beveled undersurface, spring means for retaining said portion inengagexnent with said beveled undersurface, said plate being movableupon depressing said stem due to the engagement of said beveledundersurface with said portion, and said portion being movable to thetop of said member by said last vmentioned spring, for retaining saidmember in depressed position.

5. A keyboardcomprising a casing, a plurality of brackets within saidcasing, a pair of parallel shafts mounted on said brackets, a pair ofrows of spaced plungers on said casing, a, pair of bars fixed to saidshafts and disposed parallel thereto, one bar being disposed below onerow of plungers and the other bar below the other row of plungers, armsfixed to said shafts extending inwardly and having overlapping hookedportions, a link engaging said hooked portions and a switch connected tosaid link.

6. A keyboard comprising a casing having a top cover, a plate suspendedfrom said cover by a piurality of links and disposed parallel to saidcover, a spring for normally pulling said plate toward one wall of thecasing, a plunger slidably mounted on said cover and disposedperpendicular thereto, a member slidably mounted on said plunger andhaving a portion formed with a beveled undersurface, and means on saidplate and engaging said undersurface, said plate being shiftable towardan opposite wall upon depressing said plunger, and movable back tonormal position by said spring for retaining said first member indepressed position and a switch controllcd by said member.

7. In a keyboard, a casing, a stem slidably mounted therein, a memberslidably mounted on said stem, a switch within said casing, said memberbeing adapted toengage said switch, means for simultaneously depressingsaid stem and member, means for retaining said member in depressedcondition and means for moving said stem back to normal position uponreleasing pressure from said stem.

8. A keyboard comprising a casing having a top wall, a plurality ofbrackets within said casing, a panel attached to said brackets anddisposed parallel to said top wall, a plurality of plungers mounted onsaid top wall, a plurality of switches mounted on said panel, therebeing one switch associated with each plunger, means on said plunger fornormally holding said switches in open position, said switches beingreleased by said holding means and movable to closed position upondepressing the plungers associated therewith.

9. A keyboard comprising a casing having a top wall, a plurality ofbrackets Within said casing, a panel attached to said brackets anddisposed parallel to said top wall, a plurality of plungers mounted onsaid top wall, a plurality of switches mounted on said panel, therebeing one switch associated with each plunger, means on said plungersfor normally holding said switches in open position, said switches beingreleased by said holding means and movable to closed position upondepressing the plungers associated therewith, means for moving saidplungers back to normal position upon releasing the same after the samehave been depressed, means for retaining said switch holding means inswitch releasing position whereby said switches remain closed uponrelease of said plungers and movement thereof back to normal position;and a master switch mounted on said panel, and means for closing saidmaster switch each time any of the plungers is depressed.

l0. A keyboard comprising a casing having an opening, a stem slidablyextending through said opening, a cap at the upper end of said'stem, a

spring interposed between said cap and said casing, a switch mountedwithin said casing, a member slidably mounted on said stem and movablewith said stem upon depressing the latter, said member being adapted toengage said switch, said spring being adapted to move said stem back tonormal position upon releasing said stem after the same has beendepressed, means for holding said member against movement when said stemis moved back to normal position, means for releasing said member andspring means for moving said member on said stem upon said member beingreleased.

11. A keyboard comprising a casing, a plurality of depressible keysslidably mounted on said casing, switches within said casing associatedwith said keys, a member slidably mounted on each key and movable withsaid key upon depressing the latter, said members being adapted toengage said switches upon depressing said keys, means to move the keysback to normal position upon releasing the same after said keys havebeen depressed, means for holding each member against movement when itskey is moved back to normal position, means for releasing said memberupon depressing another key, and means for moving said member on saidkey upon said member being released.

12. A keyboard comprising a casing having a top wall, a panel attachedand disposed parallel to said top wall, a plurality of plungers slidableon said top wall, a plurality of switches mounted on said panel, therebeing one switch associated with each plunger, means on said plungersfor normally holding said switches in open position, said switches beingreleased by said holding Vmeans and movable to closed position uponVdepressing the plungers associated therewith, means for moving saidplungers back to normal condition upon releasing the same after the samehas been depressed, and means for retaining said switch holding means inswitch releasing position whereby said switches remain closed uponrelease of said plungers and movement thereof back to normal condition.

' 13. In combination, a keyboard, a plurality of keys thereon, a switchassociated with each key adapted to be closed upon depressing its key,means for retaining each switch in closed condition upon depressing itskey, until another key is depressed, an individual counter electricallyconnected to each switch and adapted to be actuated upon closing saidswitch, a master switch electrically connected to a master counter,means for making and breaking the master switch to actuate the mastercounter each tim any onev of said keys is depressed, said master switchand master counter being so connected to the first switches that whenany of said rst switches is Vclosed by depression of its key to actuatethe counter associated therewith, a path is provided through said mastercounter, whereby, should the same key be again depressed, the circuit iscompleted through its counter to again actuate the same, as well as themaster counter.

14. In combination, a keyboard, a plurality of keys thereon, a. switchassociated with each key, means for closing each switch upon depressingits key, means for retaining each switch so closed in closed conditionuntil another key is subsequently depressed, a counter electricallyconnected to each switch and adapted to be actuated upon closing saidswitch, a master switch in series with each of the first switches, andmeans including a toggle mechanism for closing the master switch eachtimeany one of the keys is depressed and for opening said master switchwhen pressure is released from said key.

15. In combination, a keyboard, a plurality of keys thereon, a switchassociated with each key, means for closing each switch when its key isdepressed, means for preventing opening of a closed switch until a keyunconnected therewith is subsequently depressed, a counter electricallyconnected to each switch and adapted to be actuated upon closing saidswitch, an electrical device in series with a master switch, said deviceand master switch being connected in series with each of said rstswitches, and means including toggle mechanism for closing the masterswitch each time any one of the keys is depressed, and for opening saidmaster switch upon releasing pressure from said key.

BENJAMIN COOPER.

